So I took my chiller offline for a bit tonight to see what the temp in the tank would be without it. Late I know, just haven't gotten around to doing it yet. The heater is set for 76. I have 2 small return pumps and 4 T5s. Temp went from 77.7 up to 79.9 in less than 2 hours. Could those couple things being warming the tank up to 80 even with the rainy cold weather? Not a big deal keeping the chiller online, just like getting it out if the room for the winter. I know 80 is fine, my other 2 tanks run warmer, but I don't like my main tank going over 78 since it's heavily stocked, fish and coral.
Equipment/Temperature Question
- Thread starter thedevilscandy
- Start date
A lot of factors at play here that play a part. Tank size/water volume. Size of return pumps. If temp inside your house is around 78-80 since it's raining so I'm assuming windows all closed. You mentioned heater didn't kick on but small probability you were reading temp right when it shut off and if the size of the heater is relatively large then could still have some "residual heat effect". But yeah, I can see that happening. To give you an example, temp in my tank is range bound from 77.5-78.1 give or take since heater is hooked up to apex. For the past few days heaters have been kicking on more routinely because of the colder weather. However, we decided to bust out the portable ceramic heater today just to heat up the living room area and temp has been consistently in the 78.5-79 area without the heater even turning on.
The tank is 60 gallons, small 10 gallon sump. I've been watching the heater constantly, it's not kicking on. Windows are closed, no heater in the room, it's comfortable. I know 80 is totally fine, just not sure I want to let it go above 78 since that's what I always keep it at. I don't remember having an issue last winter. The pumps are small, one is like 300ish gph, the other is a Quiet One, can't remember the size, but rated a lil stringer than what my size tank needs. The tank is acrylic so it insulates better. If the T5s are producing enough heat to warm the tank higher than what the heater is set at then maybe I should keep the chiller online. 2 years ago my heater malfunctioned shortly after I took the chiller off so I worry about the tank running to warm. Which also reminds me it's time to replace the heater too. Maybe wait til this weekend when I can closely monitor it over the course of the day.
I've never ran the chiller during winter before, just have reserves about taking it offline. I'm thinking it's my gut telling me to replace the heater lol. 2 degreed isn't a big deal, hut a spike to 96 is detrimental, like 2 years ago. I wait til I have a day off and just watch it. I know this is a stupid question, but if everything in the tank is use to 78, would anything be bothered by going up to 80-81? I know the answer is no, had to ask though for reinforcement 
I think a gradual temp change from summer to winter isn't a big deal. 81 is a little high IMO. Are your heaters on a controller? You could also run a fan if the temp hits above 79... if you have a controller. My tank even during the hot weather stayed at 80 with a fan (no chiller)... otherwise would be closer to 82. Now without the fan I'm running about 78.5 to 79 approx. My heaters haven't come on in quite some time.
Also, what return pumps are you running and why 2?
Also, what return pumps are you running and why 2?
I do t have a controller, don't ask me why because I don't know lol. My main return pump is a Lifeguard Aquatics Quiet One 4000 I believe, the other is a Marineland Utility pump, don't recall the size, bought it years ago. I run the chiller off a second pump so I can easily/remove it. Just a personal preference. My tank would cook to at least the mid 90s during the summer without a chiller. My room only has one of those portable AC units and no cross breeze plus the tank is acrylic and the T5s. I have a brand new chiller in the shed for backup lol.
